WNBA All-Star Weekend Wrap-Up
LOS ANGELES — The WNBA All-Star weekend was undeniably lengthy but enjoyable.
For the Liberty, however, the time off—if you can really call it that—is over.
While teams like the Atlanta Dream have a plush nine days to recuperate before their next game, the Liberty didn’t get such a luxury.
Following a four-day hiatus that took players all over the country, the Liberty reconvened in Los Angeles on Monday to kick off practice for a busy five-week period, just before the World Cup pause.
New York is all set to embark on a 13-game stretch against the Sparks starting Tuesday.
“Now we have to push to finish really strong for the World Cup,” Sabrina Ionescu shared with the Post after a tough practice session. “It’s nice to reset. That month was just wild for us with so much travel… and now it’s done.” Almost. There’s the World Cup in August, then it’s September, some more games and then the playoffs. It all ended so fast, so our focus has to be sharp for this next month.”
The Liberty’s initial 27 games showed both promise and challenges, with players frequently in and out of the lineup.
They clinched the Commissioner’s Cup and even enjoyed an eight-game winning streak.
After a rocky start in July, the team managed to stop a four-game losing streak with two consecutive one-point victories.
Liberty will aim to build on those wins beginning Tuesday.
Intentionality defined Monday’s practice.
“We’ve turned the page, especially after winning those last two important games,” said Rebecca Allen. “Our defensive game has really improved, and our communication and intensity have risen a notch. We need to maintain that for a full 40 minutes.”
So far, the Liberty have struggled with consistency when it comes to overcoming obstacles this season. When they last played in L.A. on June 21, New York squandered a 17-point lead in the second half, losing on a buzzer-beater. Lately, they’ve been finding themselves in double-digit deficits.
This has seen the Liberty (15-12) slip down the league standings. They’re currently in seventh place, trailing nine games behind the ninth-place Portland Fire.
“At the end of the day, a win is a win. We’re still learning,” Rebecca Gardner said. “We just must embrace that positive energy from our recent performances. The next three games are crucial for our standings, especially with the next break coming up. So it’s essential we take each game one at a time.”
Even with the challenges faced this season, Ionescu stays optimistic. The team’s objective remains focused on winning a championship, taking cues from the Knicks’ historic journey to end their lengthy title drought.
“When you look at the Knicks and see how they managed to climb back from being down by 20 points at one point, that resilience speaks volumes about the mental toughness and teamwork required to navigate through tough times,” she noted. “Experiencing such challenges early in the season and finding ways to win really reflects our individual and collective strength.”
